On Instagram: #FDwildwoodmodernclassic

Admittedly, we’ve been holding onto this one for a while, but it’s finally time to share our ‘Wildwood Modern Classic’ project today!

Our clients, a grain-farming family of five, came to Farmer’s Daughter Interiors looking to design a main floor renovation along with an addition to their family farmhouse. Our Swift Current, SK based interior design firm worked hand-in-hand with the draftsperson to create the layout of the addition to accommodate our clients’ dream kitchen, as well as a dining room and large home office space (not yet photographed). Read on for the details of how this space came together!

THE GOALS

As a busy young family, our clients were craving more space in the kitchen - both for baking + prepping snacks for on-the-go but also for feeding a crew in the busy seeding + harvest seasons on the farm. Specific things our client noted in her initial list were wider thoroughfares, more storage for pots and pans and an area to tuck the psuedo kitchen items - things that we all have but would love to tuck away - like a ‘junk’ drawer, phone chargers, Kleenex, pens, etc. A more functional island with a prep sink and a larger dining space was high on the priority list as well.

The entire new kitchen space and pantry are in the addition portion of the house. We created the layout of the new kitchen to accommodate all of the above as well as extra seating for the family and hidden storage in the front of the island. We know our clients will put that nine feet of island space to good use! We designed a range feature that visually grounds the large room and leaves ample space for cooking and prep work and (my personal favourite detail!)

THE CHALLENGE

The height of the ceiling in the addition was planned to be 10’ - beautiful for an open, airy feel but a little tricky for cabinetry. We decided to create a bulkhead around the perimeter of the addition to lower the area above the cabinets to 9’. Still high of course, but a better height for the two large counter cabinets to meet. By creating efficient vertical storage for dishes and serveware in the counter cabinet to the right of the sink, we were able to leave the area around the window open to create an airy feel. Open shelving left room for the homeowner to display some of her favourite pieces + pottery.

Those 10’ ceilings also left a large tract of flat ceiling that we wanted to add some interest to. We wanted it to be interesting but not overpower the space and steal the limelight from the hood fan. We decided on a natural wood to add character and interest - the builder was able to source rough cut wood + stain it using a white wash so the grain of the wood still shows through but doesn’t overpower the room.

THE PALETTE

Working closely with the clients as part of our Comprehensive Design Services means that we source + recommend each and every finish and material. From the flooring to the cabinet colour, the countertop to the lighting and the window treatments, it’s our job to understand our clients’ needs + aesthetic and translate that into a design that reflects their family.

We selected a palette built from the prairies - deep greens and black, pale creams, whites, grays and wood tones all work together to create an approachable palette that feels for the most part neutral but definitely not boring. Our clients wanted a timeless feel and so we stayed away from trendy tile and flashy finishes, so that the palette in the kitchen will be one they will love for a long time.

The perimeter cabinets have a black quartz countertop which we also used to create a ledge over the range. Bead board above creates extra interest + a bit of farmhouse personality. For the island, a custom concrete countertop made right here in Saskatchewan was the perfect companion and the thicker edge adds to the profile.

Our other favourite features include a hidden garbage pull out in the end of the island, a secondary oven that double as a microwave and a handy pot filler over the stove.

THE pantry

The spacious pantry room is situated behind the range, accessible by two open walkways, + it opens to the family mudroom via a sliding door - perfect for unloading groceries + garden produce.

By setting the west-facing windows in line with the open walkways, we were able to achieve additional evening light in the heart of the kitchen space + a view to the farm yard beyond.

The wallpaper on the ceiling is a super fun touch in this room!

Our clients wanted the pantry to serve several purposes. We needed to create a space primarily for food storage (which is a bit more robust when you live on a farm), as well as a secondary prep space, vegetable storage, and a spot for an under-counter fridge. Since the pantry borders the mudroom, this was also the perfect spot for a ‘drop zone’ area to host school work, everyday items + projects in progress - that ‘junk’ drawer and catch-all area our client mentioned in her initial notes. The cabinet section with the wood top performs all of this and more!

The three large units along the end wall hold mostly organized dry goods + pantry staples while the cabinetry with open shelving leaves room to change the function of this piece - perhaps it’s a baking nook or a perch for processing garden vegetables or a home bar loaded with glassware. The baskets below were retrofitted to move on slides for the perfect place to put fresh-picked garden produce.

Moving on then… adjacent to the dining room….

Our client purchased a gorgeous vintage farmhouse cabinet to sit in the dining room. Here we’ve styled it as an art cabinet to hold craft supplies + family games in an easy to reach spot but it would be perfect for dishware, table settings, or cut flower supplies.

Artwork by Stefani De Nysschen, www.lifewithfawn.com

It was such a pleasure to be involved in this project and it’s always such an honour that our clients put their full trust in us to execute the design details that are important to them (and even the ones that aren’t!).

Photography by Delina Langridge